shopping addiction

ThatCleverBird · 2026-01-06T23:11:29+00:00

I’ve been trying a No Spend January, but I’ve realized I’ve still been buying things almost every day. I used to have a much worse shopping addiction, and while it’s not as extreme now, the compulsive spending is still there. I’ve heard all the usual budgeting advice, but it hasn’t worked for me because of the compulsive side of it. Has anyone else struggled with this? What’s actually worked for you to control it?

Leftsidefacing · 06/01/2026 23:26

What helped me was realising why I was doing it. For me it was a feeling that I might as well shop because I had a dull life and very little money, with no way of earning more - so saving would never change that and I might as well enjoy spending what I could.

I thought it made me happy but it was really just the only thing that gave me a sense of control over something. I equated all money with its ability to buy objects (clothes), and found actual money a very abstract concept.

Finding something else to do has been key. I’ve been conciously decluttering, sewing with stash, going for walks, watching television and reading books instead of shopping and now have no consumer debt and almost £7000 in savings - something I wish I could have achieved years ago but really never thought could happen so….

In short…the first step is to ask yourself why you’re really doing it. ‘Its a compulsion’ isn’t a good enough answer.

Touty · 07/01/2026 01:38

It helps to have a goal, less shopping equals more money towards that goal.

Original poster

ThatCleverBird · 07/01/2026 02:08

Leftsidefacing · 06/01/2026 23:26

What helped me was realising why I was doing it. For me it was a feeling that I might as well shop because I had a dull life and very little money, with no way of earning more - so saving would never change that and I might as well enjoy spending what I could.

I thought it made me happy but it was really just the only thing that gave me a sense of control over something. I equated all money with its ability to buy objects (clothes), and found actual money a very abstract concept.

Finding something else to do has been key. I’ve been conciously decluttering, sewing with stash, going for walks, watching television and reading books instead of shopping and now have no consumer debt and almost £7000 in savings - something I wish I could have achieved years ago but really never thought could happen so….

In short…the first step is to ask yourself why you’re really doing it. ‘Its a compulsion’ isn’t a good enough answer.

Edited

How long did it take you to accumulate that much in savings

OP posts:

ADifferentKindOfMum · 07/01/2026 15:50

Leftsidefacing · 06/01/2026 23:26

What helped me was realising why I was doing it. For me it was a feeling that I might as well shop because I had a dull life and very little money, with no way of earning more - so saving would never change that and I might as well enjoy spending what I could.

I thought it made me happy but it was really just the only thing that gave me a sense of control over something. I equated all money with its ability to buy objects (clothes), and found actual money a very abstract concept.

Finding something else to do has been key. I’ve been conciously decluttering, sewing with stash, going for walks, watching television and reading books instead of shopping and now have no consumer debt and almost £7000 in savings - something I wish I could have achieved years ago but really never thought could happen so….

In short…the first step is to ask yourself why you’re really doing it. ‘Its a compulsion’ isn’t a good enough answer.

Edited

This is such great, honest advice here. Particularly about control. I don’t have a huge amount of that and have an incurable progressive illness which means that it’s hard to have concrete plans for the future. I’m better than I was but I still see external objects as the answer and in truth they aren’t at all.

SkelatorIamNot · 07/01/2026 16:16

I am following this post closely as I am a compulsive shopper, I mostly shop when I am bored or as a distraction. I am planning to save for a house so I am trying really hard to rein it in.